Retail Therapy: How Shopping Brings Us Closer Together

Written by our Founder and Chairman, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.

As the calendar flips to November, the holidays no longer feel so far off. Soon, wreaths and trees will go up, lights will glow, and we’ll return to one of the season’s most familiar rituals — holiday shopping. What’s better than the perfect gift to show our appreciation to the people who matter most?

Whether you’re searching for a gift or planning a party, shopping is part of the holiday journey (and gets you into the holiday spirit). The lists we make, the browsing we do, and even the constant scramble reflect the care and love we bring to the act of giving.

I know shopping can be exhausting (I’ve spent a career working on that!). But I also believe it’s more than just a means to an end. Yes, we shop for gifts to strengthen our relationships. But if we pay attention, the experience of shopping itself can help build them, too.

Whether we’re in a crowded aisle or scrolling through reviews, shopping places us in a community of givers. Even in the most ordinary moments, like waiting in line, comparing reviews online, or asking for a clerk’s opinion, we’re reminded that we’re not alone.

Why shopping feels good

Psychologically speaking, the act of shopping primes our brains for connection. It provides a temporary mood boost by releasing dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone that creates feelings of pleasure and happiness. Scientists say this happens whether you’re shopping in a store or online.

I noticed that long before I ever worked in retail. Some of my earliest memories of shopping go back to days spent with Grandma McCann. We’d take the train into Manhattan, grab a bite to eat, and stroll through the department stores. I was a shy kid, but in those stores, we’d chat with other shoppers and catch up with clerks.

Years later, when I bought the flower shop that would eventually become 1-800-Flowers.com, I saw the same thing. It was not only a place to buy flowers but also to swap stories, ask for advice, or just say hello. It was a small-town gathering place tucked into Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Then came the internet, and everything changed. Suddenly, you could send flowers across the country in seconds or order a gift from your couch at midnight. Shopping became faster, easier, and more accessible than ever.

But even as the tools changed, the heart of shopping didn’t. Whether in person or online, it’s still about people. We read reviews from strangers, share links with loved ones, and discover gifts that spark joy (and a little bit of dopamine).

Continuous improvement

One thing I’ve learned in nearly 50 years of retail is that you can’t stop changing. Locations change, trends change, and so do the ways people shop. Fewer people take the train downtown to shop these days. Those stores were mostly replaced by suburban malls, big-box stores, and the internet. In retail, you’re always adapting to meet people where they are and to offer what they want.

But change is more than just keeping up with trends. It’s also about holding on to what matters most. For me, that’s the warmth and human connection that make shopping special. The challenge and opportunity for all of us in retail is finding ways to bring that same experience to the digital world.

At 1-800-Flowers.com, we’ve tried to do just that — from Harry & David’s in-person Hosted Dinners featuring its gourmet foods to this letter, written to help strengthen relationships and inspire connection every week.

That same spirit inspired us to open our first new Harry & David store in years, in Huntington Station on Long Island – along with several new holiday pop-ups at Macy’s and malls across the country.

When you step inside, you can feel the welcome and a sense of discovery. You’ll see guests sampling gourmet treats and participating in workshops on everything from flower arranging to planning a brunch. People stop in, linger, chat, and connect. It takes me back to my very first flower shop.

A place for battling loneliness

In the past, I’ve written about how many of the institutions that once brought us together — sports leagues, community clubs, even church gatherings — have seen sharp declines in participation. As more of our time shifts digitally, the spaces where we physically connect have grown fewer and farther between..

So, might shopping in person help fill some of that gap? That question came to mind when I read an article titled “The Loneliness Epidemic and Retail’s Unexpected Renaissance,” by Kristoff Doria di Cirie. He suggests that brick-and-mortar stores are being rediscovered, but as places that remind us of what it feels like to be part of something.

Shopping in person, at its best, is about participation as much as transaction. It’s about stepping into the world, engaging our senses, and allowing for chance encounters and small conversations. These moments stitch us back into the fabric of daily life. And, in their own simple way, they help us remember that connection doesn’t always require something grand.

All the best,

Jim

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